You will be encouraged to work intuitively, experimenting with scale and mark-making. This will be an exciting course that will inspire new ideas and ways of looking at the world.
The aim of the course is to introduce you to an alternative approach to drawing by using different techniques including your body, and to create a safe non-judgmental space for you to step out of your comfort zone, experiment and make exciting work.
You will learn how to work intuitively, embracing drawing on a large scale.
In the morning you will practise simple freehand line exercises, automatic drawing and mark-making. Focusing on your senses, you will make a series of fast studies based on your surroundings. You will experiment with scale. Through drawing, you will discover that lines and shapes form relationships, establish rhythms and tensions.
In the afternoon you will make drawing machines, body extensions and drawing restraints using found objects, tools and drawing implements. Wearing the extensions, you will learn how to move your body specifically and with purpose to make marks – challenging the notion of art making. By restricting movement or adding weight to your body, the gestures of the mark will change.
The focus of the course is about experimentation. You will leave feeling inspired and will be able to confidently practise the drawing techniques learned at home. You will gain a better understanding of what drawing could look like and different ways that you can use your body in your artwork.
Artist References: Rebecca Horn, Matthew Barney, Julie Mehretu, Henri Matisse.
On this course the College will provide some materials including a full Fabriano 200gsm 10 metre roll of paper per student, 2 x A1 220gsm cartridge paper per student and a box of mixed size charcoal and some black Indian ink to get you started.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Daily Timetable
Course teaching 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)
Morning teaching 11am-1pm
Lunch break between 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes 5.15pm
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.
Please refer to our terms & conditions below.
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.
Rose Robson is an artist who draws and makes swarm-like sculptures out of a range of taxidermy bird skins. The sculptures have a consistent otherness to them placing them beyond our experiences of everyday life. Featured in The Independent, AnOther Magazine and SHOWstudio Rose's unconventional taxidermy has gained significant notice since graduating in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in 2012.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
